FFAS gears up for a busy year after 2019 Ordinary Congress

“It is going to be a very busy year in 2019 for our
association, one that I believe we all can achieve if we work together,”
declared FFAS President, Sen. Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet, to the 11 club
members’ presdients and representatives during the 2019 Ordinary Congress on
April 24.

“Last year was a busy one for us with our two men’s youth
national teams (U16, U19), and the women’s national team that went to Fiji for
the OFC Nation’s Cup qualifiers,” he explained.
“But this year, with the new FIFA requirements, it is going to get even
busier. To achieve all these requirements,
the executive committee, our staff and I need your help. We all have to work together to get a
positive result.”

Some of those requirements include playing at least four
games each for all national teams, both male and female, from the senior levels
to the youth.

“We also have other positive news with FIFA approving some
of our projects for the recent FIFA World Cup cycle that will be bearing fruit
soon,” he said. “FIFA approved our
maintenance upgrades projects for equipment to help maintain and improve our
playing field, as well as equipment to help maintain the professionalization of
our staff.”

He added that they currently have pending with FIFA projects
to improve and upgrade the member clubs and the association’s many
competitions.

Faiivae provided all this information during his opening
address during the association’s annual meeting.

The FFAS Congress approved many of the required items on the
agenda relating to the 2018 year. It put
its rubber stamp on the 2018 Ordinary and Extraordinary Congress’ minutes, last
year’s activity report and approved the 2018 financial statement while also
approved BDO Samoa as it’s auditor in 2020.

FFAS is currently preparing its men and women’s senior
national teams for the Pacific Games Samoa in July of this year. Following the conclusion of this it will send
U19 and U16 teams to OFC touraments scheduled for later in the year.

There are seven members of the executive committee — Faiivae
of Ilaoa & To’omata, Vice-President Sandra Fruean of PanSa, Treasurer Amio
Mavaega-Luvu of Lion Heart, Rev. Elder Ioane Evagelia of Utulei Youth, Sen.
Fano Mitch Shimasaki of Faga’alu Green Bay, Tausaili Ott of Black Roses and
Silasila Samuelu of Pago Youth. The
other four clubs that make up the 11 members are Taputimu Youth, Tafuna Jets,
Vaiala Tongan and Royal Puma.

The Ordinary Congress was conducted by Faiivae and FFAS CEO
Tavita Taumua.

About FFAS

A territory with just 70,000 people and an area of 199km², American Samoa is traditionally strong in sports such as gridiron, basketball and baseball but football is starting to take over these popular pastimes. The strength of the game is at the youth level where Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) has worked hard to establish competitions within schools. Under the tutelage of President Iuli Alex Godinet.